Mercer University‘s towering magnolia trees, immaculate landscape, and stunning architecture have earned it recognition as one of the top five most beautiful campuses in the nation, according to The Princeton Review. Inclusion on the “Most Beautiful Campus” list is only one of three national rankings that Mercer earned in The Best 361 Colleges, the annual college guide published by The Princeton Review. Approximately 15% of the four-year colleges in America are featured in the book. It includes ranking lists of the top 20 colleges in various categories, from academics to political activism.
Says Robert Franek, V.P., Publishing, The Princeton Review, “The main factor in our selection of schools in the book was our high regard for their academic programs. We evaluated them based on institutional data we collect about the schools, feedback from students at them, and visits to schools over the years. We also considered the opinions of independent college counselors, students and parents we talk to and survey. Finally, we worked to have a wide representation of colleges in the book by region, size, selectivity and character.”
The ranking lists in The Best 361 Colleges are based on The Princeton Review‘s survey of 110,000 students attending the colleges in the book. Students rated their schools on several topics and reported on their campus experiences at them. Ranking list categories range from best professors, administration and campus food to lists based on student body political leanings, interests in sports and other aspects of campus life. The Princeton Review posts the book’s ranking lists on its website (www. PrincetonReview.com).
Mercer University’s inclusion in The Best 361 Colleges guide places it in the top 10% of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Innovative academic programs, world-renowned faculty and student engagement distinguish Mercer from the rest. Some of the brightest young people in the nation attend Mercer University. The freshman class touts an average SAT score of 1210 and high school grade point average of 3.63.
A significant face-lift has taken place over the past few years on Mercer’s campus in Macon, Georgia, with the addition of several signature complexes. The Greek Village was added in 2000, bringing to campus a premier housing complex for its members of the Greek community. Another recent addition to the campus is the McCorkle Music Building, home to the Department of Music. This facility offers the latest technology for the highest caliber of learning and performance experience. The McCorkle Music Building also houses one of the finest concert halls in the state. In the spring of 2004, Mercer opened its 230,000 square-foot University Center. This $40 million signature facility houses intramural courts, a coffee shop, food court, indoor track, indoor pool, fitness rooms with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, varsity athletic team rooms, and a 3,500-seat arena for athletic events.
Mercer received additional rankings on the following lists in The Best 361 Colleges guide:
Students Most Nostalgic For Reagan: No. 15
Election? What election?: No. 2
The Best 361 Colleges is the 14th edition of The Princeton Review‘s annual “best colleges” guide. The Princeton Review, known for its education, admission and test-prep services, is not affiliated with Princeton University or ETS.
